A PERIODICAL FOR YOUNG AND OLD

FOR THE LITTLE ONES”

Dear Children,”

I know you all like to ask questions. Why do you ask questions? Perhaps you want to add to your little stock of knowledge, or it may be that you are just of an enquiring turn of mind. Why does your teacher ask you questions? Does she not want to find out exactly what you know, or what you have learned of your school lessons?”

There is one Book in which we find many many questions, and that very precious Book is the Bible. Now, what kind of questions do we find in the Bible? Well, there are questions about you — about your birth, about your body, about your behaviour, and above all, about your soul. Further, we find questions about your life here, in the world, and what will happen to you when you die and leave this world. Perhaps you are saying, “But who asks such questions?” Many of these questions are asked by God, the One who created you. Some questions are asked by your enemy, Satan, others by men, women and children.”

Can you remember what is the very first question in the Bible? Yes, it is in Genesis, chapter iii, verse 1 : “Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” Do you think this is a good question? No—Satan never asks good questions. He is always thinking and doing evil. Do you think we should leave this question alone because our enemy asked it? Oh, no—God puts nothing in His Word, but what we ought to think about, and ask God to make us understand. The serpent’s question is very crafty. What do I mean by a crafty question? It is a question which is meant to deceive. Satan was doing his best to make Eve think evil of God.”

If you turn to Genesis, chapter ii, verses 16 and 17, you will find what God really said to Adam. Here it is: “And the Lord commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.””

In this verse there is no room for doubting or questioning God’s command and word, but it shows the great goodness and kindness of God in allowing Adam to eat of the fruit of every tree in the garden except one.”

Look again at the first four verses in Genesis, chapter iii. Is it not strange that Satan says nothing at all about the kindness of God, in giving Adam so many trees for his use? The one thing Satan sets before Eve is that she is forbidden to eat of the one tree in the midst of the garden. Do you see Satan’s wicked plan now? What is he trying to do? Is he not trying to make Eve forget all the good things that God has given her? Satan is really saying, “Why should God not allow you to eat of all the trees? Why should even one tree be forbidden?” In this way Satan is trying to poison Eve’s mind against God, and make her believe that God is not as good as He really is.”

Satan is still speaking to boys and girls today, as surely as he spoke to Eve in the garden of Eden. He would love you to forget all the goodness of God, and to remember only what God in His Word forbids you to do. What we must remember is, that even when God forbids us to do, or to say, certain things, He is still good. Shall we take a simple example? Your mother allows you to do many things — she may allow you to play in the kitchen— but, does she allow you to touch the boiling kettle? Certainly not— and why? Because your mother loves you, and does not wish you to suffer any harm. So it was with God when He told Adam and Eve not to touch the forbidden fruit. Did God not say that if they would touch it, they would die? Yet Satan wants them to touch it, so that they will die. And why would Adam and Eve die? Because they would be guilty of breaking God’s holy commandment; guilty of believing Satan’s lies rather than God’s word of truth. What does that mean? It means that Adam and Eve would be guilty of sin, and of disobeying God. That, children, is a terrible thing. God hates sin, and must punish it, as we see from what happened to Adam and Eve, our first parents.”

To find out what happened to Adam and Eve, we must go back to Satan’s question and to the answer that Eve gave to the question. You will find that in Genesis, chapter 3, verses 2 and 3: “And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, least ye die.””

What do you think of this answer? Is it true? Is it the answer Eve ought to have given? Do you think she should have answered Satan at all? Don’t you think Eve should have told Satan the exact words of God, as they are in chapter 2, verses 16 and 17. I think that would have been very wise on the part of Eve. Alas! Eve left out some very important words in answering Satan. Can you find these words? Well, freely and surely are two very important words which Eve did not repeat.”

Satan saw this at once, and immediately said; “Ye shall not surely die.” Do you see what Satan has done? He has taken one of God’s words, and used it to make his lying words sound like the words of God. Did you notice what Eve said; instead of saying “we shall sure die”—yes, that is it— Eve said, “Lest we die.” In other words, we might die.”

Poor Eve is now deceived — blinded, and caught in the trap of Satan. Yes, children, we must be sure about what God says if we are to stand against Satan, because God’s Word is sure.”

Can you give me a verse of a Psalm to prove that God’s Word is true and sure? You may have thought of a verse yourself, but I leave you now with the last verse of Psalm 100—”

“Because the Lord our God is good,”

His mercy is for ever sure;”

His truth at all times firmly stood,”

And shall from age to age endure.””

(FM. — Young People’s Magazine)”

Bible Quiz”

Dear Boys and Girls :”

It has been quite some time ago that we had a quiz which could be answered by numbers, so we will have one this month. The numbers will become larger with each question, so the first one will be the smallest number.”

How many days was Saul without sight in the city of Damascus?”

How old was Mephibosheth when he fell and became lame?”

How many times was Naaman told to wash himself in the river Jordan in order to be cured of leprosy?”

How old was Manasseh when he became king?”

In which Psalm do we read—”The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want”?”

How many changes of garments was Samson to give the Philistines if they could declare his riddle?”

For how many years did the land have rest after Israel was delivered in the time of Deborah?”

How many cubits high was the image of gold made by King Nebuchadnezzar?”

How many palm trees were at Elim, where the children of Israel encamped soon after they left Egypt?”

How many priests did Doeg the Edomite slay at the command of King Saul?”

Over how many provinces did King Ahasuerus reign?”

How many people were in the ship which carried Paul, but which later suffered shipwreck.”

How old was Enoch when God took him?”

With how many chariots did Pharaoh pursue after the children of Israel?”

How many pieces of silver did each of the lords of the Philistines promise Delilah if she would find out for them the secret of Samson’s strength?”

How many proverbs did King Solomon speak? (found in I Kings)”

How many sheep did Job have after the Lord had restored to him his health and goods?”

About how many men left Egypt on foot as the children of Israel departed?”

Answers to the June quiz are as follows :”

The first letters spell — “To Walk In His Ways””

Tyre”

Obadiah”

Walketh”

Abomination”

Lot”

Kidron”

Iscariot”

Nathan”

Haman”

Idols”

Saul”

World”

Ahab”

Youth”

Samson”

—Matthew 11:21–22”

—I Kings 18:7–12”

—Psalm 1:1”

—Proverbs 11:1”

—Genesis 13:10–13”

—II Chronicles 15:16”

—Luke 6:16”

—II Samuel 12:7”

—Esther 3:5&6”

—I John 5:21”

—Acts 9:4”

—Mark 8:31”

—I Kings 21:1–4”

—Ecclesiastes 12:1”

—Judges 13:24”

Answers to the quiz were received from the following boys and girls:”

Larry Van De Vendel .. Howard Van De Vendel .. Lynne Lamain .. Carla Lamain .. Yvonne Lamain .. Kenneth Lamain .. Joan Van Zweden .. Betty Joosse .. Cindy Erickson .. Deanna Erickson .. Tim Vander Waal .. John Vander Waal.. John R. Kamp.”

Betty Vander Waal.. Jo-an De Visser .. Alice Moerdyk .. Tom Blok .. Joanne Beeke .. Joe Beeke .. Dave Verhey .. Gail Hoogendoorn .. Bob Vander Boon .. Dave Vander Boon .. Sharon Bouma .. Frances Vander Meulen .. Teresa Vander Meulen.”

Gertrude Spaans .. Dena Spaans .. Joanne Spaans .. Mark Stoutjesdyk .. Mary Jo Rozeboom .. Walter Jay Rozeboom .. David Spaans .. Larry Spaans .. Janice Spaans .. Judy Koedam .. Joanie Mol .. Leonard Mol .. Michael Mol .. Pat Boluyt .. Gary Roozenboom.”

Kris Vander Male .. Mike Meeuwse .. Ruth Meeuwse .. Marilyn De Maagd .. Louis De Maagd .. George De Maagd .. Gerri Moerdyk .. Andrew Feyter .. Phillip Kaat .. Tommy Greendyk .. Lorraine Kievit.. Ruth Kievit.. Judy Sweetman .. Janet Arlene Sweetman.”

John W. Kamp .. Tom Kamp .. Kay Kamp .. Ruth Kamp .. Joanne De Pater .. Susan De Pater .. Joyce Kamp .. Jean Den Boer .. Rudolph Stapel .. Henrietta Stapel .. Roelie Stapel .. Donna De Meester .. Kathie De Meester .. Ruth De Meester.”

Debbie Droogers .. Wilma Droogers .. Carol Van Tilburg .. Jean Van Tilburg .. Linda Schalkoort.. Mary Van Wyk .. Corrie Van Wyk .. Linda Kay Bleeker .. Beth Jan Sweetman .. Ria Van Hierden .. Carol Mast .. Andy Kay Mast .. Miriam Mast.”

Nanette Mast .. Andy Stam .. Emily Stam .. Connie Stam .. Billy Moerdyk .. Shirley De Visser .. Sandy De Visser .. Betty Van Stelle .. Kathy Van Stelle .. Mary Van Stelle .. Mark Teunissen .. Herbert Van Den Houten .. Cordy Vandenberg .. Janetta Vandenberg .. Nellie Heykoop.”

Arie Vandenberg .. Marsha Koedam .. John Van Woudenberg .. Esther Boonzaayer .. Bill Van Wingerden .. Margaret Van Wingerden .. Sjaane Van Wingerden .. Archie Van Wingerden .. John Van Wingerden .. Corinne Van Veldhuizen .. Joyce Van Veldhuizen .. Sandy de Jong.”

Linda Timmer .. Nancy Timmer .. Janet Van Driel .. Barbara Berken-bush .. Billy Berkenbush .. Tony Kreft.. Trudy Kreft.”

JEAN DEN BOER — We are happy to have you join us in answering the quiz, Jean. According to the map, you must live just outside of Iowa. Am I right? I hope you will write again, as it is nice to hear from you.”

MAY VAN WYK — You made quite a move, May, from British Columbia to Ontario. Do you like it better where you are now? I’m sure you miss your friends in the West. But it shouldn’t take very long before you will have many new friends.”

BETTY JOOSSE — Yes, Betty, the quiz in the May issue was a little more difficult and also a little longer than usual. But you did real well. I think you surprised your dad. We don’t celebrate Victoria Day in the United States.”

BETTY VANDER WAAL — Well, how was your report card, Betty? Probably not as bad as you expected. I think everyone is a little nervous when they have to give a speech, but the more often you give one, the easier it is.”

LYNNE, CARLA, YVONNE, AND KENNETH LAMAIN — Good to hear from all of you again. I can imagine your Topic Bible is real helpful in finding answers to the quiz. Your grandmother knew just what you needed. What are you doing during the summer vacation?”

JOAN VAN ZWEDEN — I am quite well, Joan, and was happy to receive your letter. All the boys and girls count the days until school is over, but it isn’t long before they count the days until it starts again. Yes, as you can see, I always have quite a few letters to answer.”

JOHN VAN ZWEDEN — You were only a little fellow when I saw you last, John, and now you are already writing letters. I think your father and mother will help you with the difficult questions in the quiz. Don’t worry if you can’t get them all.”

PHILLIP KAAT — How would you like to take a trip to Holland, Phillip? I would like to do that some time. Your garden ought to be well under way by this time. Do you have quite a variety? You seem to keep real busy during vacation time.”

EMILY STAM — Thank you for your letter, Emily. It is surprising how many people there are with the same last name who do not know they are related. How are you enjoying your vacation? What do you do all during the summer?”

WILMA DROOGERS — How did you do no exams, Wilma? I suppose you were happy when they were done. I think you will be getting a letter from a pen-pal in the near future, as I have given her your address. Do you have other pen-pals?”

CAROL, ANDY KAY, MIRIAM, AND NANETTE MAST — I am glad you liked the quiz, girls. It was a long one, too. Tornados can do a lot of damage, can’t they? Do you know the name of the man told about in the Bible whose sons and daughters were killed when a wind destroyed the house in which they were?”

JUDY KOEDAM — What a nice, long letter, Judy. It was neal nice to hear from you again. I imagine you can take care of your little brother quite often during the day. Do you have to lead the blind calf, or does it stay in the barn?”

GARY ROOZENBOOM — Your answers to my extra questions were all correct, Gary. I’m glad you looked them all up. I can see why you get good marks in Bible. By this time you are probably well supplied with pullet eggs. Is it one of your chores to collect the eggs?”

DEBBIE DROOGERS — It was nice of you to write, Debbie. I hope you will find time to write again. How are those ten baby pigs getting along? Did you have to feed them with a bottle? I would think that would be quite a job.”

SHARON BOUMA — Your answers to the quiz were all correct, Sharon. I usually look them all over, but we don’t mark down if there is a mistake. In other words, everybody passes. We don’t get to Grand Rapids so very often, but some day we will try to stop in.”

CORRIE VAN WYK — How do you like living in Ontario, Corrie? Are you very far from the church in Norwich? I have always lived in Kalamazoo except while in the service, but I would imagine it takes some time before you feel at home in a different city.”

LINDA SCHALKOORT — I don’t like to make the questions too hard, Linda, but then I don’t want to make them too easy either. If all the family works them out together, this is real good. It is time well spent. But I think this month’s quiz is somewhat easier. What do you think?”

SANDY DE JONG — You have quite a few rabbits, Sandy. Did you have to make some additional houses for them? You are probably busy on the farm now that summer vacation is here. Can you tell me who was called to be a prophet while he was plowing a field with a yoke of oxen?”

JOHN VAN WOUDENBERG — It looks as if you are the last one this time, John. You were correct — It was Peter who caught a fish with money in its mouth in order to pay tribute. I imagine you go fishing quite often, if the lake is only five minutes from home.”

And again this concludes our letters for this month. You will notice under the mission news that cancelled (used) postage stamps are sold in the Netherlands to help support the missionaries. Those boys and girls who wish to help in this cause are welcome to send stamps to us along with their answers, so that we can forward them to the Netherlands. How about it?”

Also we have had a request from a girl in the Netherlands (22 years old) who would like to correspond in the Dutch language with a girl or boy in this country. The address is — Mej. J. Korte, Kruisweg 2, Miliskerke, Zeeland, Netherlands. I am sure she would welcome a letter from some of our older readers.”

May the Lord spare us until we meet again next month.”

Your friend,”

“Uncle Garret””

Timothy Mission Fund”

Again we acknowledge with thanks your gifts totalling $110.80 received during the month of May. It was again possible for us to send a donation of $75.00 to the Wycliffe Bible Translators, and $100.00 to the Bethesda Clinic in Nigeria. This has depleted our fund, leaving us a balance of less than one dollar, but we trust this will soon be replenished. The appreciation of those whom we help support through this fund can be observed in the acknowledgements which follow below.”

FROM THE SPANISH EVANGELICAL MISSION:”

May 26th, 1967”

Dear Friends”

We thank you very much for your giving evidence of sympathy with our work in Spain. The Lord bless you and the gifts which you put aside. It is very fine that the love for missions is a very wide one.”

Protestants in Spain today experience many difficulties. According to a new law they now have “liberty,” which is the same as persecution in other western countries. Difficulties are growing and in the future the Protestants will have many troubles. Though missionary work has been forbidden by law, we often hear of God’s blessing on misisonary work. Souls have been won by Word and Spirit, so that they break with the Roman darkness. Also today God is working in Spain for the honor of His Name.”

Please keep praying for this work and for the Spanish Protestants, that their belief will not stop. Happily the Lord gives many promises in His Word.”

Those who would like to hear about our work in Spain can receive our monthly “Zendingsbode” or our “Messenger” (published six times a year), sent to them in the United States or in Canada.”

With all best wishes to all friends of the Spanish Evangelical Mission in the United States and Canada,”

Yours in our Lord’s service,”

J. R. van Oordt, Secretary”

FROM NIGERIA:”

Oturkpo, Nigeria”

May 20, 1967”

Dear friends,”

We appreciate it very much to feel that people in the States are remembering the mission work in deed and prayer.”

As you can read in the papers, the situation in Nigeria has been unsettled for over a year now and nobody knows when peace will return to this country. We do pray that God may give the leaders the right spirit so that they seek for the best of their people.”

We are very happy for the great contributions our churches are making towards the mission work. It is difficult for outsiders to judge how important and how much the work is. The Bethesda Clinic in Eggedoe is serving a population far larger than a hospital at home. People track for many miles to get their treatment.”

Christian schools are very important, especially in a Moslem area. I am in charge of about 70 schools with together over 14,000 pupils. Supervision of religious instruction is part of my task.”

There is a lot of work and we are very happy that Miss Anne Herfst is joining us. We hope she will get her visa soon, because the two nurses, Miss Commelin and Miss Breedveld are very occupied. Miss Sonneveld is in charge of an orphanage with 23 children. Apart from that she is going out to villagers to preach and to teach.”

Miss van Rossum is sick unfortunately. She is at home on furlough.”

We are closing with thanking you once again and wishing you all the best.”

Our warmest greetings,”

J. D. ten Voorde”

FROM WYCLIFFE BIBLE TRANSLATORS:”

April 20, 1967”

Dear Friends:”

My wife and I wish to thank you for the gift of money (received through the Wycliffe Bible Translators). We certainly can use it, as we are preparing for the field. New Guinea is the country in which we desire to work, and to which we have been assigned. The Lord willing, we will be sailing for New Guinea in October. God bless you for your concern for the Bible-less tribes.”

Sincerely yours,”

Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Huisman”

From the Missions Committee of our churches in the Netherlands:”

Dear Friends:”

Our very hearty thanks for your check of $100.00 which we received, and which we will acknowledge in our “Paulus” publication. Also our sincere thanks for the large quantity of postage stamps, which included some real nice stamps. Collectors are especially anxious to buy them, and therefore they bring a good return.”

Once more our hearty thanks and greetings to all, and be commended in all things unto the Lord.”

Sincerely,”

D. P. Polder”

(Note: As you will note from the above, the mission organization in the Netherlands is anxious to obtain all sorts of used postage stamps, which they are able to resell. We recently sent a quantity which they were very happy to receive. Those wishing to do so may send postage stamps to us, and we will forward them to the Netherlands in one large package. Stamps do not have to be soaked off the envelope, but just the corner of the envelope with the stamp attached should be sent.)”

MAKE THE PAPER SPEAK”

Many years ago, John Beck (of the Moravian Mission), together With two others, left home and friends to go out and do spiritual work among the Eskimos. Being good at languages, he translated the story of the Creation into their own tongue, that they might learn the truth from the very beginning. The Eskimos, however, “cared for none of these things”, and for five years these three devoted men laboured with no results. Still they plodded on, and Beck made a translation of the life of the Lord Jesus Christ, to follow on after the Creation, when their unwilling hearers should have arrived at a knowledge of the true God.”

One morning John Beck was working somewhat sadly at his translation, when the door of the little hut was rudely kicked open, and a group of Eskimos pushed in. For some weeks a new and hostile attitude had been noticed among the natives, and it seemed as if the whole thing would end in martyrdom — these natives certainly looked evil enough for anything, Beck thought, as they crowded round his table, inspecting and turning over his pens, ink and paper.”

“And what is this?” demanded Kayarnak, the most repulsive of the intruders, as he seized upon a sheet of manuscript. John Beck explained, as well as he could, that what they called “black marks” were words, the same as the words they were speaking. It was some time before their slow minds grasped his meaning. At last Kayarnak exclaimed:—”

“This piece of paper hears, and remembers, and says words?” Yes, that was so. He was told that once the words were written down, there they stayed till the paper was destroyed.”

This was wonderful, past all belief, and the “talking paper” was handed round from hand to hand. Then a new idea struck Kayarnak, and thrusting the bundle of manuscript into Beck’s hands, he cried: “Make the paper speak; let us hear what it has to say!””

The demand was greeted with shouts of delight from the others, and in response John Beck began to read, glad to be able to satisfy his difficult visitors so easily.”

He read bits from the Gospels, and was in the middle of the story of the Crucifixion, when he paused, conscious of a dread silence. On looking up he was astounded to see tears pouring down Kayarnak’s dark face which was convulsed with grief.”

“Oh!” he cried, “make the paper talk more! Go on, go on! I would know about this Jesus; for I, too, want this Salvation !””

Had the stones under his feet cried out, John Beck could not have been more astonished. With intense earnestness he explained again and again the story of Salvation, while his listeners hung upon his words in rapt attention.”

Kayarnak was brought to Christ, and when the other two workers returned, weary and dis-hearted, from their work in a neighbouring district, they found Beck the centre of an enquiring crowd, all anxious and eager to know about Jesus Christ.”

Kayarnak proved an invaluable ally. He assisted in the translation of the New Testament. He begged that his people might be told about Jesus, and Jesus only. His advice was only too gladly followed, and it was again found that neither the simplest sort of teaching, argument, nor logic, could take the place of the words of Christ, which are spirit and life.”

Before long, these men were counting converts by scores, many of whom thought nothing of coming twelve, fifteen, or even eighteen miles to attend the services.”

UNCLE BEN”

A clergyman, who had spent many years in the West India Islands before slavery was abolished, gave me an account of one whom he knew very well. He assured me it was strictly true. He said there was once an insurrection of one of those islands, that is, some had undertaken to put down the laws and the magistrates, and do just what they pleased. Among other things, they resolved to break up the religious meeting of the slaves in that neighbourhood. These meetings were conducted by an old slave called Uncle Ben. He was a pious, excellent Negro who was respected and loved by all who knew him. He had learned to read, and was a sort of minister among the slaves in that part of the island.”

The rioters went to the negroes’ meeting house at the time of service for the purpose of breaking it up. It happened that Uncle Ben was not there that day. He was not well, and one of his friends was conducting the meeting. The rioters went in and seized the leader of the service. They led him out of the meeting-house and put him to death without a moment’s delay. They struck off the poor fellow’s head, set it on a pole, and then went round to the different plantations to terrify the poor negroes by this bloody sight of the head of their praying leader.”

In the course of their march they came to Uncle Ben’s cabin. They halted at the door, and sent some one to fetch him out. When he appeared, the leader of the mob pointed to the bleeding head on the pole, and asked, “Do you know that head, Uncle Ben?” “Yes, Massa,” says Ben, “I knows him.” “Well, Ben, that’s what he got for his praying. And if you don’t stop praying, that’s just what you’ll get. The next time we catch you praying, we’ll just do the same with your head.””

While this was going on, a great number of the slaves had gathered round, who looked with intense interest on this scene. They were the fellow slaves of Uncle Ben, and most of them were members of his church. Ben gazed upon the head of his friend. Then he looked the leader of the mob full in the face, and said, “Massa, you mean dat?” “To be sure I do,” said the man, “and if you wish to keep your head upon your shoulders, you’ll give up praying at once.” Ben turned to his fellow slaves in a moment, and said, “Bredren, let us pray.””

Then he kneeled down in the presence of these fierce, lawless men, and poured out his soul in prayer. He prayed that God would pardon their sin, and show them the evil of their ways, and change their hearts by His grace. He prayed that God would give him and his follow slaves grace to be faithful to their Christian profession, and never, because of any threats or dangers, be turned away from their duty to Him. When he ceased, he rose up and went into his cabin. God’s power was on the hearts of those rioters, so that they went away without touching him. Uncle Ben was a great man, although he was but a slave.”

—Young People’s Magazine”

THE INFIDEL PHILOSOPHER AND THE CHRISTIAN COTTAGER”

A hundred years ago there lived a man who was reckoned a great philosopher. His name was David Hume; and he professed himself to be an infidel as well as a philosopher. He did not believe in the Bible.”

A hundred years ago there lived an old woman, whose name is now unknown, and she, while she lived, was reckoned very unlearned. She knew how to read, but her reading was most likely confined almost entirely to one book. She had laboured hard all her life; but her life-labour had not lifted her out of poverty. She was, what she always had been, a poor peasant woman — the inmate of a poor cottage; and she died as she had lived, a Christian. She believed in the Bible.”

One day, as this poor woman was seated by her cottage door, with her one book before her, her hands engaged in knitting, came by the gentleman with whom she was slightly acquainted, for he lived near, and she had heard what manner of man he was. Seeing how she was engaged, Mr. Hume (for he was the gentleman) stopped and spoke; after which followed a conversation something like this:—”

“You are reading the Bible?” said he.”

“Yes, sir.””

“And you believe what you read?””

“Yes, sir, I do believe what I read”; and the old woman looked sadly and seriously into the gentleman’s face. He saw that she looked sad, and said to her rather banteringly, “I could never understand how it is that you Christians, who believe in the Bible, always seem so miserable. You tell us that the book is full of comfort, but you don’t show it”.”

“Ah, sir”, replied she, “that is easily explained. You never see us only when we can see you ; and the very sight of you, and such as you, who are living in unbelief and under the curse of sin, is enough to make any Christian look sad”.”

The philosopher walked on.”

PLOUGHING TIME”

Ploughing is the beginning of a long process for the farmer, and many months will pass before the return of the harvest to gather in the yellow corn. But without the ploughing, there would be no harvest at all! What a lesson for us, that if ever the Lord has designed that our souls should bear fruit, the ploughing comes first: when the Lord opens up the dark earthly nature to view, causes light to enter in, it is no easy time for the burdened sinner. How sharply the blade of scripture cuts at all our errors and our sins, exposing them to our mourning sight.”

But it is the essential preparation work before the gospel seed is sown within; by contrast you will remember some in the parable of the Sower who immediately with joy (no sorrow for sin first) received the Word, as far as appearances went, but afterward in the testing time fell away. Bless God for every conviction which brings you in sorrow to mourn at the Lord’s feet.”

Every enlivened soul will in due time be thankful for this ploughing, preparation work of conviction of sin, because where there is godly repentance, godly rejoicing is sure eventually to follow. For like the diligent farmer, once the Lord sets to work, He does not leave it, but shall carry it out to completion. Burdened sinner, hope thou in God, for you shall yet praise Him for the pardon of His mercy through Christ Jesus.”

THE STRANGE PROVIDENCE OF GOD”

Mrs. Dell Thompson, of the Pan American Testament League, tells this thrilling response of God to the sacrificial giving of two missionaries.”

This narrative centres around the two missionary families who faithfully served the Lord for many years in Africa. Not long ago, one of the families received deportation papers from the African government, and they had to leave. They finally arived in Long Beach, California, with very little money. They rented a small unfurnished apartment, and slept on the floor on blankets. They also rented a small hall, had Gospel services in it — and were able to buy bread and lunch meat with the meager offerings that came in. They had no stove on which to prepare their meals, but they continually praised the Lord for the roof over their heads, and the blessings that they had.”

One day a large offering of £100 came to them. The husband said, “Isn’t the Lord wonderful ; now we can buy some used furniture”. As they joyfully were making up the list of what they needed they received a telegram from the other missionary family, still in Africa. It read, ‘Dearest Brother: We just received our (deportation) papers to leave. Our boat is docked. If you can help us, kindly wire the money to this address”.”

The husband and wife looked at each other almost in despair, as they again read — “Can you help us?” The husband turned to his wire and asked, “What can we do? Shall we send them £30?” She suggested they pray about the matter. After prayer the wife said, “Dear, I feel we should send it all to them. We still can sleep on blankets”.”

He, too was willing, but he had waited for his wife’s approval. Rejoicing, and praising God, they wired the £100 to Johannesburg, South Africa.”

Soon after that they received a phone call from the owner of the largest furniture store in Long Beach. He said, “I own a furniture store, and a Voice prompted me all night, saying, ‘Send some furniture to the missionary from Africa’. I was upset, and got up and walked the floor. I said, ‘God, I am very miserable about this. I’ll call the missionary and ask him what he has and what they need’. I would like to match the furniture that you already have”.”

When the furniture man found that the missionary had nothing, he completely furnished the apartment for them. All the furniture was new, and of a high grade. He even included a desk and a chair, saying, “I don’t ever want to put in another night like I had last night; my, what a relief to get rid of that burden — and I am not even a Christian. How could God talk to me?””

Under the missionary’s instruction from the Word, he was called by grace, and brought to a knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

ADDRESSES FOR TIMOTHY CORRESPONDENCE”

Timothy Section—”

Thomas Moerdyk”

1222 Vassar Drive”

Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001”

Timothy Mission Fund—”

c/o Miss Adriana Kievit”

1121 N. Westnedge Avenue”

Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007”

Bible Quiz—”

Garret J. Moerdyk”

1104 Roseland Avenue”

Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001”

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